West Virginians don’t have to go far to find natural beauty – it’s pretty much all around us! With 35 state parks to visit in West Virginia, you will never run out of amazing adventures in the Great Outdoors! Each of these superlative West Virginia state parks offers plenty of places to hike, fish, camp, and sightsee, and you will most definitely want to make a point to visit them all!

1. Blackwater Falls State Park, Davis
Blackwater Falls State Park, 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis, WV 26260, USA
dpbirds/flickr
The main star of Blackwater Falls State Park is the falls themselves, which tumble 62 feet into the river below.
2. Tygart Lake State Park, Grafton
Tygart Lake State Park, 1240 Paul E Malone Rd, Grafton, WV 26354, USA
J. Stephen Conn/flickr
Killer views and a 1,750-acre lake make this a West Virginia state park you won't want to miss.
3. Holly River State Park, Hacker Valley
Holly River State Park, 680 State Park Road, Hacker Valley, WV 26222, USA
J. Stephen Conn/flickr
West Virginia's second-largest state park, Holly River has 8,101 acres of forest and majestic mountains.
4. Babcock State Park, Clifftop
Babcock State Park, 486 Babcock Rd, Clifftop, WV 25831, USA
MariefromGeorgia/Tripadvisor
With its charming, historic grist mill and tons of hiking opportunities, Babcock State Park is a place you'll want to stay all day long.
5. Valley Falls State Park, Fairmont
Valley Falls State Park, 720 Valley Falls Rd, Fairmont, WV 26554, USA
J. Stephen Conn/flickr
This little day-use park has a series of four waterfalls and is a perfectly picturesque spot to spend an afternoon.
6. Pipestem Resort State Park, Pipestem
Pipestem Resort State Park, 3405 Pipestem Dr, Pipestem, WV 25979, USA
hokie86/Tripadvisor
Perched on the edge of the Bluestone River Gorge, this beautiful resort offers incredible views from the lookout tower and the aerial tram.
7. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, Cass
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, 12363 Cass Rd, Cass, WV 24927, USA
Ron Cogswell/Tripadvisor
Take the 11-mile long ride on the historic train to see some of the most spectacular views of West Virginia.

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8. Prickett's Fort State Park, Fairmont
Pricketts Fort State Park, 88 State Park Rd, Fairmont, WV 26554, USA
Tilly Lo/Google Local
Imagine what it would be like to live on the frontier in the 18th century at Prickett's Fort State Park.
9. Cacapon Resort State Park, Berkeley Springs
Cacapon Resort State Park Foundation, 818 Cacapon Lodge Dr, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411, USA
Management/Tripadvisor
This year-round resort offers tons of recreation, including golf, hiking, restaurants and a lake.
10. North Bend State Park, Cairo
North Bend State Park Lodge, 202 N Bend Park Rd, Cairo, WV 26337, USA
North Bend State Park/Tripadvisor
This stunning state park offers some great fishing, wildlife viewing, and a 72-mile long rail trail that's perfect for hiking.
11. Little Beaver State Park, Beaver
Little Beaver State Park, 1402 Grandview Rd, Beaver, WV 25813, USA
cheryl h/Tripadvisor
This little day-use park is just 562 acres, but it packs in plenty of recreation with its fishing lake and hiking trails.
12. Hawks Nest State Park, Ansted
Hawks Nest State Park, 49 Hawks Nest Rd, Ansted, WV 25812, USA
massaccio/Tripadvisor
Take a jet boat ride and get a hawk's eye view on the aerial tram at this gorgeous state park.
13. Blennerhassett Island State Park, Parkersburg
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, 137 Juliana St, Parkersburg, WV 26101, USA
management/Tripadvisor
You'll take a sternwheeler river boat to access this island park, and you'll be amazed by the stately, beautiful Palladian mansion here.
14. Beech Fork State Park, Barboursville
Beech Fork State Park, 5601 Long Branch Rd, Barboursville, WV 25504, USA
Charity R. Connor/Tripadvisor
Hiking, birdwatching, boating and even a swimming pool are just some of the recreation opportunities at Beech Fork State Park.
15. Camp Creek State Park, Camp Creek
Camp Creek State Park, 2390 Co Hwy 19/5, Camp Creek, WV 25820, USA
Tammy S./Tripadvisor
Outdoor enthusiasts will love the 35 miles of hiking trails and streams full of trout at this state park.

The Mountain State is not lacking in natural beauty, and we challenge you to get out to visit all of the amazing state parks in West Virginia! So tell us: which of West Virginia’s state parks is your favorite to visit? Any hidden gem parks or trails you like in particular? Sound off in the comments below!

Looking for some more adventure in wild and wonderful West Virginia? Check out these seven adventures you can have in West Virginia’s treetops.

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More to Explore

State parks to visit in West Virginia

Sarah M. | February 08, 2022

What are some lesser-known state parks to visit in West Virginia?

Around every turn in the Mountain State is another natural wonder at which to marvel. If you’re from our lovely state, then you know how easy it is to live here all your life and *still* be madly in love with all of the outdoor recreation found in West Virginia! However, perhaps sometimes the more well-known places get all of the glory. State parks are a great example, as with these nine state parks that totally fly under the radar. Among our favorites on the list, Pinnacle Rock State Park is (quite literally) a total diamond in the rough; the 3,100-foot sandstone rock at the centerpiece of this state park is awe-inspiring. When you're finished marveling at it, head to one of the many trails or picnic tables and enjoy the rest of the outdoor fun this unique park has to offer. Another treasure of a West Virginia state park is Seneca State Forest. This lovely park doles out countless opportunities to get reacquainted with Mother Nature, including the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower. Climb to the top for unobstructed views in all directions; and, if you're brave enough to spend the night under the stars you can reserve it for the whole night!

What's a historic state park to visit in West Virginia?

One of the most historic state parks in West Virginia is another hidden gem. Off the beaten path in central West Virginia, there’s an under-rated state park that truly is one of Almost Heaven’s hidden gems. It offers beautiful views, quiet trails, and several fascinating historical sites, some of which date all the way back to the 1700s – yet you might never have even heard of it before! What is this magical place? Watters Smith Memorial State Park in Lost Creek, West Virginia! Featuring period buildings from 1796 to the early 1900s, including barns, cabins, a museum, and more, this 532-acre park is a place where history comes alive, and it's a total must-visit for Mountain State history buffs.

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